I think the base yarn is actually Gems Fingering (at least the packaging it came in noted that and it sure does feel as soft as it).

Why hadn't I heard of it before?! I love it!! The colors are so gorgeous in person. And free shipping if you spent a certain amount (which is why I just had to get three skeins). Can't wait to see what Pashy's looks like up close.

Thanks for posting gorgeous pictures of our yarns. Have fun with them, and if you need some pattern ideas, I just posted a new pattern, called the Groovy Socks. I am also working on a new one, with a 68 stitch cast on.That new pattern should be ready tomorrow.

Too much sock yarn?! Well, I think it depends on how you look at it. If you look at it strictly in terms of pairs of socks that must be knit in a specified amount of time, then I guess you have too much if the amount you have exceeds that time line in which you could knit it all. OTOH, if you see it as visual, tactile stimulation that gives inspiration, you can never have too much!

With the handpainteds, you also have an individual, crafted work of art! These 'one of a kind' beauties are sought after and it seems to me resell quite quickly, so it can also be deemed as 'savings' for hard times-don't tell me you haven't seen people whittling their stashes to get money for something they need (like food or books for school...) and you notice with the handpainted yarn, they sell out immediately and are never discounted much, if at all!

And to further shave down the "sock knitting time" idea, some of it could always be doubled and knit into a hat, so it would go quicker!